How to Make a Dust Bath For Chickens
Why Do Chickens Take a Dirt Bath? To Ward Off Mites and Other Parasites.
Reading Time: 3 minutes
A healthy and good smelling chicken NEEDS to take a dust bath on a regular basis. Chances are if your chicken is “not too fresh,” then they do not have access to a dust bath. But, a dust bath for chickens not only helps keep your flock smelling fresh, it is also a natural chicken mite treatment.
For those of you who have watched backyard chickens dust bathing, I think you will agree that it is not only comical, but shows your hens in the utmost state of contentedness.
During the act of dust bathing, chickens will do their best to get as much “dirt” as they can all over their bodies down to the base of their feathers. This in turn actually cleans the chicken (see ingredients below) and will asphyxiate pests that may potentially prey on them.
If you let your hens free range and DON’T provide a dust bath in the chicken pen and run, I guarantee that they WILL make a dust bath where your favorite plants are growing. It’s ingrained in their behavior and essential to their personal health. So … why not build a dust bath for chickens in your coop?
In order to get started, you’ll need a container that is at least 12″ deep, 15″ wide and 24″ long. I used an old apple crate that I had kicking around in the shed. It works great for my small flock of three.
The 4 ingredients that you will need are:
1) Builder’s sand (don’t waste your money on the more expensive kid’s play sand).
2) Wood ash – I get the ash from my wood stove and take out the larger charcoal pieces with a cat litter scooper.
3) Soil – If you are purchasing soil, make sure it is fertilizer, chemical, and vermiculite free.
4) Diatomaceous earth use – Make sure it is FOOD-GRADE and not for use in pools. The bag MUST read For LIVESTOCK FEED.
Add equal parts of each ingredient to the mixture and top up when necessary. You will know that your hens are using the dust bath if:
1) You find some of the “bath” contents on the coop floor.
2) You see them nestled up together in the crate throwing dirt on each other.
3) They are free ranging and suddenly shake from comb to feet and a cloud of dust emerges around your hen.
So, why not consider making a dust bath for chickens? It’ll sure beat them tearing up your prized petunias. You’ll be helping them out by reducing their risk to lice and mites and they, in return, will continue to thank you by providing those great fresh eggs.
If you already have a dust bath, why not drop me a line and let us know what you are using for your “chicken spa.”
Rick Andrews
Originally published in 2013 and regularly vetted for accuracy.
Was wondering what if your space is limited in the coop would it work the same if you provided a dust bath outside the coop. Also do you need to use the diatomaceous earth. What about supersoil that you can buy. Thanks for any I sight.
Will wood ash that has lighter fluid hurt the chickens or does it burn out in the heat of the fire?
Can we make trenches and plastered them with cements then put building sand mix with charcoal ashes for the chicken to bath bitter
I made a dust bath for them with tires and dirt they like making their own is that ok or should I try another approach and do I need to keep a look out for lice and mites
Where do you get builders sand,??
What is builder’s sand? All I can find is All Purpose Sand and Play Sand.
Also, which soil do you recommend? I’m having a hard time finding one that is fertilizer, chemical, and vermiculite free.
I use sawdust for $25 a truck load of saw dust from the Saw Mill (lasts along time , is sustainable and inexpensive) mixed with food grade diatomaceous earth , they love it,no box,right on the ground. I put in a box ,but the preferred the ground
I have converted an older coop with a top on it. I have removed the chicken wire and replenish food grade diatomaceous earth. When I have it I replenish the wood ash. The chickens spend a lot of time in that old coop. It stays dry and is available for all of my chickens when they are out free ranging.
What are the proportions of each ingredient in the dust bath for chickens?